Palm Tungsten E vs iPaq rz1710 - which is best suited for ebook reading?

Bort · 20th January 2005, 12:13 PM

I'm thinking of getting a PDA, basically only to read ebooks. I don't need wireless networking, because I don't have any other wireless gear at home or work. So I'm only after a pretty basic unit. My main priority would be a large screen that would be able to be read for extended periods. I had a look at the Palm Zire range - the base model Zire 21, in black and white, has no expandability (SD slots) and the screen is only 160 x 160 pixels. The Zire 31 has a colour screen and a pretty good price, but again, the resolution is about the same as the 21. The Tungsten E can be bought for about $299, and reviews of this are OK, with the complaints being focussed on the 5-way button being hard to press in the down direction (which would probably be the most often used in an ebook) and the battery is non-removable. This has a 320x320 screen although part of the screen area seems to be taken up by the graffiti writing area.

Recently I've seen the HP ipaq rz1710 selling for $249 at a couple of places and at that price it looks attractive. Reviews I have read online were not too good, mainly saying how overpriced the thing is (it is still selling at ~$400 in many shops), low memory, non-removable battery, and slow performance. However, scrolling through a text document doesn't seem to be a particularly demanding application, so that shouldn't be an issue.

With the info I have read, I am leaning toward the ipaq - at that price of $249 - to buy. Should there be any other criteria I should be looking at? I doubt I'd have much use for other things a PDA does, at least not until I get one

And finally, probably a question I should have asked at the beginning of this thread, is reading an ebook on a pda a practical/comfortable thing to do? Does it get annoying with all the continual scrolling, or the small screen size or anything?

If this is too much of a What/Where should I buy type question, feel free to move it to that forum (where if you listen you can hear the crickets chirping and the occasional tumbleweed blowing past).

DrDevil · 20th January 2005, 2:27 PM

i have the Tungsten E myself, so I will give you my views on that because I have never used the Ipaq you are referring to.

1. The Tungsten E has a 320x320 colour screen, I believe the Ipaq only has 240x320. This is probably a major consideration for you.

2. I have NO problems with the 5 way button on the bottom of the Tungsten E. I don't know what those reviewers are complaining about - the button works fine for me.

3. I find that the Palm OS is much more intuitive OS to use. This is my personal opinion which I'm sure all you PocketPC fanboys will disagree to.

basically you should go out to you local Harvey Norman or Officeworks and use both devices and find which one you like better.

Thrawn · 24th January 2005, 4:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrDevil

1. The Tungsten E has a 320x320 colour screen, I believe the Ipaq only has 240x320. This is probably a major consideration for you.

More important than just resolution for reading eBooks is the physical size of the screen.. its much bigger on a PocketPC.

KyocEr@~* · 27th January 2005, 2:00 AM

I have used the rz1710 you mention - actually I've used three so far. They're a very nice unit to use, and eBooks are absolutely no problem. I actually sync Avantgo and read the newspapers/websites I subscribe to all the time.

Additionally, the rz1710 has landscape mode support (NATIVE). This means you get a wider screen by viewing it sideways, making it even easier on your eyes.

The rz1710 can be had for less than $249 if you know where to look.

Hope you haven't bought your unit yet, but no big loss...

Bort · 27th January 2005, 9:53 AM

No, haven't bought it yet. I thought $249 was a good price, especially when lotsa places sell it for nearly $400 still.

Thanks for all the replies people, gives me something to think about.

Edit: Kyo, would you be able to PM me where you have seen it cheaper? Much appreciated. P.S. your PM box is full.

20th January 2005, 12:13 PM	#1
Bort Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,128	Palm Tungsten E vs iPaq rz1710 - which is best suited for ebook reading? I'm thinking of getting a PDA, basically only to read ebooks. I don't need wireless networking, because I don't have any other wireless gear at home or work. So I'm only after a pretty basic unit. My main priority would be a large screen that would be able to be read for extended periods. I had a look at the Palm Zire range - the base model Zire 21, in black and white, has no expandability (SD slots) and the screen is only 160 x 160 pixels. The Zire 31 has a colour screen and a pretty good price, but again, the resolution is about the same as the 21. The Tungsten E can be bought for about $299, and reviews of this are OK, with the complaints being focussed on the 5-way button being hard to press in the down direction (which would probably be the most often used in an ebook) and the battery is non-removable. This has a 320x320 screen although part of the screen area seems to be taken up by the graffiti writing area. Recently I've seen the HP ipaq rz1710 selling for $249 at a couple of places and at that price it looks attractive. Reviews I have read online were not too good, mainly saying how overpriced the thing is (it is still selling at ~$400 in many shops), low memory, non-removable battery, and slow performance. However, scrolling through a text document doesn't seem to be a particularly demanding application, so that shouldn't be an issue. With the info I have read, I am leaning toward the ipaq - at that price of $249 - to buy. Should there be any other criteria I should be looking at? I doubt I'd have much use for other things a PDA does, at least not until I get one And finally, probably a question I should have asked at the beginning of this thread, is reading an ebook on a pda a practical/comfortable thing to do? Does it get annoying with all the continual scrolling, or the small screen size or anything? If this is too much of a What/Where should I buy type question, feel free to move it to that forum (where if you listen you can hear the crickets chirping and the occasional tumbleweed blowing past). __________________ Blog \|\| Flickr Intel Q9300 \| Gigabyte P35-DS3L \| 4GB Patriot 6400C4 \| Gigabyte GeForce 8600GT \| Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000 HDD

20th January 2005, 2:27 PM	#2
DrDevil Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Brisbane Posts: 1,137	i have the Tungsten E myself, so I will give you my views on that because I have never used the Ipaq you are referring to. 1. The Tungsten E has a 320x320 colour screen, I believe the Ipaq only has 240x320. This is probably a major consideration for you. 2. I have NO problems with the 5 way button on the bottom of the Tungsten E. I don't know what those reviewers are complaining about - the button works fine for me. 3. I find that the Palm OS is much more intuitive OS to use. This is my personal opinion which I'm sure all you PocketPC fanboys will disagree to. basically you should go out to you local Harvey Norman or Officeworks and use both devices and find which one you like better. __________________ DrDevil

27th January 2005, 2:00 AM	#4
KyocEr@~* Singaporstralian Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Upper East Coast Park Posts: 3,960	I have used the rz1710 you mention - actually I've used three so far. They're a very nice unit to use, and eBooks are absolutely no problem. I actually sync Avantgo and read the newspapers/websites I subscribe to all the time. Additionally, the rz1710 has landscape mode support (NATIVE). This means you get a wider screen by viewing it sideways, making it even easier on your eyes. The rz1710 can be had for less than $249 if you know where to look. Hope you haven't bought your unit yet, but no big loss... __________________ From: KyocEr@~* - The Er@ is nigh... Tally: 330+ Private Trades \| Transaction on 26/01/2008: Wollow\| Logitech VX Revolution \| Wo Shi Kyo!~* I can be contacted regarding ANY transaction at this e-mail address: kyobiz@gmail.com

27th January 2005, 9:53 AM	#5
Bort Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,128	No, haven't bought it yet. I thought $249 was a good price, especially when lotsa places sell it for nearly $400 still. Thanks for all the replies people, gives me something to think about. Edit: Kyo, would you be able to PM me where you have seen it cheaper? Much appreciated. P.S. your PM box is full. __________________ Blog \|\| Flickr Intel Q9300 \| Gigabyte P35-DS3L \| 4GB Patriot 6400C4 \| Gigabyte GeForce 8600GT \| Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000 HDD Last edited by Bort; 27th January 2005 at 9:59 AM.